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A United Way Agency The Heart of Georgia Healthy Start Coalition (a United Way Agency)
was formed in 1993 ald incorporated for non-profit status in 1996.
The Coalition has over 90 members representing hospitals, public
health, private physicians, consumers, Family Connections, Department
of Family and Children's Services, businesses, Housing Authorities,
schools, and churches. The purpose of the Coalition is to develop
a collaborative effort to advocate for the well being of infants and
families through the promotion and support of positive health behaviors.
Previous activities of the Heart of Georgia Healthy Start coalition included
the development of a "Partners at Work" Program funded through United
Way which enabled perinatal education and support to be offered at the
worksite. Smoking cessation, lactation support, and our "Lunch and Learn" classes
(nutrition, parenting, stress management, etc.) are available on request. The Coalition also
participates in strategic planning to address needs and concerns related to infant mortality
and low birth weight infants. The Coalition was responsible for bringing the federally
funded Healthy Start Program to the South Central Health District. The MELD for Young Dads
program was acquired in our area for Dodge, Laurens, and Johnson Counties through the efforts of the Coalition.
Professional perinatat inservices are offered on a continual basis in our ten county service area. Workshops have included the American Cancer Society's "Fresh Start Family" (smoking cessation intervention) and breastfeeding education to hospital, public health, and private physician staff. The Heart of Georgia Healthy Start Coalition has also provided SIDS risk reduction programs and promoted folic acid intake through its Women's Health Committee. Other committees such as Teen/Youth Issues, Tobacco prevention/Smoking Cessation, Advocacy, Breastfeeding, and Collaborative Development strive to support the efforts of health care rofessionals and promote healthy behaviors among consumers.
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